The national highway to northern Shan State has been cut off following attacks by members of the Northern Alliance of ethnic armed groups on strategic locations in Nawng Khio Township.

Joint forces belonging to the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Arakan Army (AA) attacked the Goktwin Bridge and a police post between Nawng Khio and Kyaukme this week.

“Both the [Goktwin] bridge and vehicle road were damaged. I don’t know when the road will open again. Currently, people are afraid to go outside of the town,” Sai Aung Lwin, who is chairman of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy in Nawng Khio, said to SHAN.

TNLA spokesperson Tar Aik Kyi told SHAN that the Northern Alliance carried out five attacks—including two in Pyin Oo Lwin, including on the Defense Service Technological Academy and on a tollgate run by the Asia World Group—one of Burma’s top crony companies, according to the most recent report released by the UN Fact-Finding Mission on the military’s economic activities.

Tar Aik Kyaw said that the ethnic armed organizations were retaliating for ongoing military operations against them, despite calls for the Tatmadaw to cease its activities in northern Shan State.

“Strong revolutionary forces have never attacked the Goktwin bridge in the past. It impacts many things,” Lon Sayar Hsaw, who lives in nearby Kyaukme Township, told SHAN.

The Goktwin bridge is a link for trade and transportation in northern Shan State because it connects Burma to the Chinese border. Hundreds of vehicles travel through the area each day.

Goktwin bridge is playing an important role in trading and transportation in northern Shan state because it is connected between central Burma and Chinese border. Hundreds of vehicles travel through the area daily.